Incident Summary
A pilot reported that while landing on Runway 16, the aircraft experienced a sudden and dramatic altitude loss after full flaps were selected. The pilot added power and arrested the descent. During the flare, a gust of wind from the right caused the left landing gear to touch down, leading to an abrupt left turn. The aircraft then ran off the left side of the runway and into scrub trees.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that he initially overflew the airport at 1,000 feet above pattern altitude and observed the wind sock pointing down Runway 16. A local FBO advised on the CTAF that Runway 16 was favored, but the winds on the ground were variable and gusty. The pilot entered the pattern for Runway 16 and reported no unusual conditions on downwind or base legs. On final approach, he noticed that the wind socks at the departure and approach ends were indicating different directions, and he was correcting for a left crosswind condition. Shortly after selecting full flaps, the aircraft experienced the sudden altitude loss. After recovering, during the flare, the aircraft encountered a gust from the right, leading to the left gear touchdown and subsequent left turn off the runway.
Runway Characteristics
Runway 16 is bordered on the right-hand side by a small hillock near the approach end and sits on top of a ridge in a mountain valley.